Concern over ban on 'designer drugs'

MINISTER OF State John Curran has expressed particular concern that the banning of certain drug substances previously sold in Britain and Northern Ireland in head shops could lead to the Republic becoming a “dumping ground” for some of them.

The Minister, who has responsibility for drugs, confirmed that regulations to deal with head shops and substances such as “white ice” and “snow blow” will be drafted within a month.

He said these “designer” drugs had not been banned in the UK.

He said, however, that “a three-months’ notification process to the EU may be involved. In this context the advice of Attorney General is being sought before the regulations are implemented.”

Mr Curran highlighted that the Misuse of Drugs Act “is the primary legislation through which these substances can be regulated”, but other issues such as public liability insurance, product liability insurance and planning are under consideration for the regulation of such shops.

Labour spokesman Jack Wall agreed that the issue had to be addressed as a matter of urgency but he highlighted comments by Fianna Fáil deputy Dr Jim McDaid who believed it would be a mistake to ban head shops, and it would drive the sale of these products into the black market and drug dealers would take control of it.

The Minister of State said he took a completely different view to that of his party colleague. He was concerned “at their proliferation and the threat they pose” and that “they could be a gateway to lead to illicit drug use”.

Catherine Byrne (FG, Dublin South Central) did not believe “that completely closing these shops is going to help anybody. I think what it will do in the long run is bring people into a darker corner in society and bring people underground.” But it is of really urgent need to bring in legislation as soon as possible.

“There are very serious health risks around these legal highs and many young people on a regular basis are queuing outside these shops to buy these goods.” She said they had become like off-licences and were on nearly every street corner.

Mr Curran said they were ensuring the legislation was “robust” and the likes of some of the designer items had not been added in the UK.

“We hope to go that further and include those. They are brand names like ‘charge’, and ‘white ice’ and ‘snow blow’.” He pointed out that a considerable number of the drugs were available on the internet, so the most important issue was to deal with the substance.

When made illegal, the customs service could act.